Hotpoint WMA66 bearing replacement

[conaero]

Hi, I have this machine with bearing failure. I am a very competent mechanic, so I have ordered the bearing off this site and am going to have a go at it as its older (just) than 5 years, so no £99 fix.

Anyway, I have not looked at it yet, is there a guide, other than the general one, on how to do this job.

What I need to know is, which way the drum comes out, through the top, back or front?

Also, what is the procedure for removing the bearing without damaging the casing or the shaft, hit it from behind, pull it, does anything have to be taken off the area, before you can release the bearing.

thanks in advance, if anyone has any technical literature, diagrams, it would be very much appreciated.

[Allsorts]

Unplug machine
1. Remove lid
2. Remove soap drawer
3. Disconnect cables and remove front console
4. Open door and remove retainer for door gaskit
5. Remove kick panel
6. Remove retainer screws and remove machine front
7. Disconnect and remove belt & motor
8. Unbolt and remove balance weights
9. Disconnect heater cables
10. Disconnect Pressure switch pipe
11. Remove Spring retainers
12. Disconnect pump rubber from drum
13. Disconnect soap drawer to drum rubber
14. Remove damper pegs and unmount drum from dampers
15. Make sure all cable ties to drum are clipped
16. Using the springs, lift the drum and remove from machine via the machine front
17. Remove spring clip from the top of the drum
remove the springs and spring guides
18. Remove the 16 torx screws surrounding the drum
19. Split the drum and remove the front of the drum
20. Remove the pulley wheel from the drum rear
21. Using a rubber mallet, tap the drum from the drum housing

After replacing the bearings and seal do the same in reverse.

Jobtime = 3-4hrs

[conaero]

Re: Hotpoint WMA66 bearing replacement

Thanks pal, really, really appreciate it!

I’ll let you know how I get on.

[helo_75]

3-4 hrs?

an hr, tops

[conaero]

Re: Hotpoint WMA66 bearing replacement

I would agree, an hour if I was used to ripping these things apart, but I will be photographing it all as I go, so if I do it in 3hrs I will be chuffed.

[conaero]

Re: Hotpoint WMA66 bearing replacement

Ok, the drum is out, not bad, about an hour, but I took my time.

Now I am here, and a bit lost as how to get the bearing out, it is utterly shagged, loads of play, front case fell off, but it appears well stuck. I have a rubber mallet, plus bigger lump hammers. I have gone at it reasonably hard with the rubber, but have not used anything more on it, as I dont want to shag it up.

Anyone give me any pointer on the best way to get it out?

[helo_75]

the inner drum needs to come out.
to avoid damaging the thread of the drum, use a suitable bolt, similar to the pulley bolt, and tighten it up until the threads are taken up.

then bash it out with a big hammer

the bearings, and yes theyre bad, will come out then, you can bash the rear one out from the inside using a suitable drift, the inner bearing wll then knock out from the back

try and use something to draw the bearings in , or theyll end up noisey.. and make sure the shaft of the drum is in good order, or it may need replacing

[conaero]

Re: Hotpoint WMA66 bearing replacement

Sweet, worked a treat, the drums are now separated. Just got to work out how to get the 2 old bearings out of the nylon tub.

[helo_75]

i use a good quality, long extension bar, and whack em out with a hammer.. just be carefull

[conaero]

Re: Hotpoint WMA66 bearing replacement

Yeah, worked that out, extension bar with a large socket on the end.

I have got the inner seal out and just managed to get the outer bearing (smaller one) out. The inner larger bearing aint budging. That’s enough for tonight, so I have given it a good soak in WD40 overnight and have a go tomorrow.

[Allsorts]

Yeah… 3-4hrs is what we allow on this type .. However, if you are replacing the rear of the drum that contains new bearings, then we would only allow 1hr.

[conaero]

Re: Hotpoint WMA66 bearing replacement

^^^That’s a fair comment, if was doing it again, I recon I could get the drum out in half an hour, same to put it back in again.

You are obviously used to doing this sort of thing, and experience always wins.

Had a look at the larger inner bearing, and as the water has got in it looks well rusted. Any advise to get it out?

I also thought that maybe its a good idea to put the new bearings in the freezer overnight so they shrink and are easier to get in, is this a good idea or not?

[conaero]

Re: Hotpoint WMA66 bearing replacement

Phew that was hard work but its all back together and I have just done a fast wash, and it is so, so, quiet, and not leaks, so its looking done.

Took me 2 evenings in the end, but I did not rush is, recon 7hrs in total.

Thanks for all your help guys!

[johnnyj]

Re: Hotpoint WMA66 bearing replacement

The Hotpoint guys used to get a slot to diagnose and 2 slots about 35 mins aslot to fit a complete built up drum, they then went to stripping down tub and replaceing shaft and back half still on 2 slots, now they are expected to if they have the parts on the van a cpmplete strip down removal and replacemant of bearings and reasemble on initial visit. thats what you call progress?

[Author]

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